IF the tabloid tittle-tattle is to be believed, Frank Lampard could be making a é17 million switch from Chelsea to Manchester United this summer.

The 25-year-old midfielder has been an inspirational figure for the Blues this season, and only narrowly missed out on the Player of the Year honours to Arsenalés talismanic Thierry Henry.

But with the England international still to agree a new big-money contract with the Roman Abramovich bankrolled Blues, Sir Alex Ferguson could try to tempt him away, according to the Daily Mirror.

Ferguson is believed to be keen to sign a midfielder who can act as a long-term replacement for Roy Keane, with Lampard seen as an ideal candidate.

However, with Abramovich willing to pump in ever more money, it is highly unlikely that Chelsea would consider selling so integral a player. Far from looking to offload key players, the Blues are keen to build a squad that has at least two genuine world-class players competing for every position and has a strong backbone of English players.

With their interest in Lampard unlikely to receive any encouragement, United have also been linked with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, though he would be almost certain to stay at Anfield if, as expected, the Reds secure a Champions League slot by finishing fourth.